Shabbos HaChodesh is a special Shabbos that was originated by our sages of blessed memory to prepare for Passover. Hodesh חֹדֶש means means month and new moon in lashon hakodesh. It is a variation of the word חָדָש new.
In anticipation of the exodus from Egypt HaKadosh Baruch Hu commands Israel, “This month shall be to you the head of the months; to you it shall be the first of the months of the year”, (Exodus 12:2). Rashi explains, “He [God] showed him [Moses] the moon in its renewal and said to him, “When the moon renews itself, you will have a new month” (Mechilta). Nevertheless, [despite this rendering,] a biblical verse does not lose its simple meaning (Shab. 63a). Concerning the month of Nissan, He said to him, “This shall be the first of the order of the number of the months, so Iyar shall be called the second [month], and Sivan the third [month]”.
In fact the first of Tishre is considered the date the world was created, because it is the date that Adam the first man was created. This is even though the first day of creation on which light was created was 25 Elul. The idea is that the first of the year has practical significance and also can be used as a way of giving honor or focusing attention. There are many examples of this. The Talmud lists 15 Shevat, the coldest day of the year, as the new year of trees. Chabad proclaimed, 19 Kislev, the day that Rabbi Shneor from Liadi was released from jail, as the new year of Hasidus.
Later on the Chumash identifies that Nissan as the month of spring (see Exodus 13:4). The implication is that the Jewish calendar must be aligned with both the moon and the seasons. Calculation and observation are needed in order to get it right. Subtleties include the idea that fixing the calendar should make life easier for people. As a result leap days are added so that the fast of Yom Kippur does not inconveniently fall next to Shabbos.
Because of these, knowledge of astronomy and the calendar are considered virtues. The Talmud states one who can appreciate the stars and their movements but does not do so has failed to keep a mitzvah. In addition he is guilty of ignoring the works of God's hands and the wisdom of the Jews in the eyes of the nations (see Gemara Shabbos 75a on Deuteronomy 4:6). Religious expression of this would be the special blessing said on the sun when it has the astronomical alignment with the calendar it had when it was created. In addition there are other blessings said on natural phenomena such as meteors, comets, lightening, and thunder.
The Chumash says to use the stars as signs. In ancient Egypt the reappearance of the bright star Sirius signalled the onset of the annual flooding of the Nile River. For me it was prominent in the evening sky when I made aliyah. In fact the calendar is an invaluable tool and the oldest texts of humanity focus on it. Sefer Raziel taught Adam the first man about the seven day week and the twelve month year and associated them with the planets and constellations. The planets can give us insights into the future. At the time of the exodus Pharaoh noted the red planet Mars in the sky. Because it is associated with blood, he taunted the people of Israel saying they would be killed in the desert. However, it became the mitzvah of the blood of the covenant, when the nation underwent mass circumcision before entering the holy land.
It is through use of the calendar our mind is focused on the past exodus from Egypt, our present love of freedom, and the future of our nation in the land of Israel. These are the spiritual messages of the month of Nissan. In addition we get a glimpse of the timelessness of the Almighty and learn how to harness nature for the benefit of man.
לע"נ האמא מלכה בת חיים ז"ל נלב"ע טז ניסן תשנ"ח
העלון ניתן לקבל בדואר אלקטרוני וגם באתר http://dyschreiber.blogspot.com
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